Dang I missed that bike change too congrats on new bike Steve!

 

Thanks man. Surprised you missed it too.

 

My first 2 HDs were classics. The second one (05) I went the "strip down" route. Detach tourpak, took off the fender bumpers, bag rails, rear crash guards.

The SG was not out yet when I bought my 03, and was in its first year when I got the 05. At that time, buying new was not feasible.

In 07, I debated extensivly between another Classic, Road Glide, and Street Glide. Literally spent 3 hours in the back of the shop with the 3 bikes side by side trying to decide. Road glide lost out due to the silver motor and ugly wheels, which took it down to the Classic and SG.

Considered very strongly about getting a black classic, stripping it, and having it repainted to get rid of the pinstripes. To do that, filling all the holes on the fender, to get a GOOD job, would have FAR exceeded the cost of adding a tourpak to the SG. Or my second choice, Cobalt and Silver two tone Classic, which I DID like, other than wanting to repaint the bag lids a solid color, and the tank painted like a Road King. Weighed that against adding a tourpak to the SG. When I factored in changing the turn signals, saddlebag supports, tank console, etc, came to the conclusion that adding a tourpak to the SG was the way to go. The wheels were the final nail in the coffin for the Classic. HATED those "wagon wheels" with a passion. Also did not want to take a brand new bike, and tear it apart for a repaint. So SG it was.

In O9, The paint choices for the Classic Sucked, and while it got the somewhat better looking "turbine" wheels, the SG also had the wheels opened up more so they looked more like 5 spokes instead of a dish with slots cut in it. Not much debate this time.

For me, the lack of pinstripes, and all that crap on the fenders, Is what ultimately took me to the SG twice. The turn signals, wheels, rear fender, and the extra chrome bits, along with the silver gauges (HATE the black ones) sealed the deal. Some compromises had to be made. Had to pay to add rear floorboards, but selling the rear pegs off the SG more than paid for that. Changed to traditional floorboards in front, because I wanted the extended reach pans that were not available for the swept wing boards at that time. Again, selling the streamliner boards paid for that.

Yea, I paid more than I would have to buy a classic. (and NOT change it the way I wanted) Don't regret it for a second, because to me, its not about "best bang for the buck" Its about getting what I really wanted. For that amount of money, I was not going to compromise and try to convince myself that I made the "smart" decision every time I looked at the bike and saw something that wasn't really what I wanted.